The film begins moderately with Perseus (Sam Worthington) goes fishing with his 10-year-old son Helius (John Bell) as he chooses to live his life as a fisherman. There is nothing mentioned about Io (Gemma Arterton) who mysteriously disappeared from the film. When Zeus (Liam Neeson) tells Perseus the world is in danger as the walls of Tartarus are breaking, Perseus refuses to help his father.

Meanwhile, Zeus has gone down to Tartarus to meet with Hades (Ralph Fiennes), Poseidon (Danny Huston), and his son Ares (Edgar Ramirez) with a hope to unite to rebuild Tartarus but instead is betrayed by Ares and Ares and Hades join forces to destroy Zeus and Poseidon as they plan to drain Zeus’ power to revive their father Kronos in exchange for immortality.

The film then moves in a fast pace skipping the unnecessary details. A Chimera attacks Perseus’ village and thus, as predicted, no one other than Perseus dares to challenge and defeat the creature, which immediately prompts him to the Mount of Idols to speak to Zeus. Poseidon arrives instead as he tells Perseus of Ares and Hades’ attempt to save Kronos and they have imprisoned Zeus before Poseidon succumbs to his death.

Perseus then flies on the Pegasus to find Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike) who has imprisoned Poseidon’s demigod son Agenor (Toby Kebbell) who in return knows the whereabouts of the fallen god Hephaestus (Bill Nighy). Hephaestus also happens to know how to get into Tartarus as he’s the one responsible in creating it as well as the weapons of Zeus, Hades and Ares which can be combined to form the Spear of Triam, the only weapon that can stop Kronos.

Fast-forward, the trio of Perseus, Queen Andromeda and Agenor manage to reach the center of Tartarus where Zeus is chained but they realize they are too late as Kronos already gains the power he needs. Ares manages to get hold of them as he throws Hades’ pitchfork into Zeus’ back, almost killing him. As Hades has a change of heart, he gives his power to Zeus restoring him back to normal.

As Zeus and Hades join forces to stop Kronos, Andromeda has her armies prepare to withhold Kronos in order to buy time for Perseus who plots to get Zeus’ thunderbolt from Ares in an attempt to forge the Spear of Triam.

Kronos as one of the Titans appears to be completely CGI made of lava, and a hundred times bigger than any of the Gods or humans but is easily defeated by Perseus using the Spear of Triam.

Overall, the film lacks a good and complete storyline and is filled with special effects which doesn’t look too impressive either. Battle Los Angeles director, Jonathan Liebesman seems to rush the film cutting it as short as 99 minutes, even shorter than the first film.

My rating: 6 out of 10

Verdict: Entertaining and action-packed but not engaging enough despite the big names casting

The Hunger Games is a science-fiction action drama film based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins.

SPOILER WARNING: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Jennifer Lawrence in "The Hunger Games"

In a not-too-distant future, North America has fallen apart, crippled by drought, fire, famine and war to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year two young representatives from each district, one boy, one girl, aged 12-18 are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. The 24 participants are forced to kill each others as there can be only one survivor. The Hunger Games are broadcast throughout Panem with all citizens required to watch.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrenece) volunteers to represent District 12 when her twelve-year-old sister, Primrose “Prim” (Willow Shields) is selected. Together with Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), the male tribute from District 12, they will be pitted against stronger opponents who have been training for their whole lives.

Before the games begin, Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), a drunk and the only survivor from District 12 mentors both Katniss and Peeta. Stylist, Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) is assigned to prepare Katniss to help her make a good impression with the sponsors before the games begin. Peeta confesses his crush on Katniss since childhood during the introduction and hence, make both Peeta and Katniss popularity goes up.

Once in the arena, Katniss must rely on her wits and her hunting skills in order to survive. As tributes from Districts 1 and 2, led by Cato (Alexander Ludwig) gang up in an attempt to get rid of Katniss, Rue (Amandla Stenberg) from District 11, a tribute with the least odd to win The Hunger Games rescues her and becomes her ally. When Rue is killed by a member from Team Cato when she falls into their booby trap, Katniss becomes depressed and angry at the Capitol, her sadness is shared among the people of District 11 and causes a riot in District 11.

In order to keep things back in order, the organizer decides to change the rule of the games by allowing two survivors as long as they are from the same district. That prompts Katniss to find Peeta only to discover that he’s critically injured. When Katniss tries to retrieve medicines for Peeta, she is almost killed by Cato’s follower until Thresh saves her. Thresh spares Katniss life this time around because of Rue’s friendship with her.

During the finale, Katniss and Peeta have the run of their lives in order to escape a carnivorous monster created by The Capitol’s programmers (which is later spawned into five). When they reach the apex of a steel tent at the starting base, they realize that Cato is there too. The brawl ends with Cato threatens to kill Peeta by twisting his neck. Katniss shoots an arrow onto the hand of Cato instead of his head and Cato falls off the tent and is eaten alive by the monsters.

When Katniss and Peeta think they have already won, the organizer decides to change the rule and makes them kill each other. As both Katniss and Peeta are in love with each other, they decide to kill themselves by consuming poisonous berries only to have the organizer to let both of them live.

Overall, The Hunger Games is well-played with a balance mix of romance, emotions, violence and action. The film is no doubt heart-pumping and enthralling from start to finish with solid performance from Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. Good news is that the second film is already in the making and is scheduled to be released in November 2013.

Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!

My rating: 8 out of 10

Verdict: Entertaining and enthralling film to watch even if you don’t read the book

Prometheus is an action horror Sci-Fi about a team of explorers who discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race. Directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator) and starring Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron and Patrick Wilson, Prometheus opens on June 8, 2012.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits is an animated film directed by Peter Lord, Jeff Newitt. Pirate Captain sets out on a mission to defeat his rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz for the Pirate of the year Award. The quest takes Captain and his crew from the shores of Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. Starring the voices of Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek and Jeremy Piven, The Pirates! Band of Misfits opens April 27, 2012.